Earth ‘overshoot day’ – the day each year when our demands on the planet outstrip its ability to regenerate – comes six days earlier than 2014 – with world’s population currently consuming the equivalent of 1.6 planets a year.

Humans have exhausted a year’s supply of natural resources in less than eight months – according to an analysis of the demands the world’s population are placing on the planet.

The date is based on a comparison of humanity’s demands – in terms of carbon emissions – cropland – fish stocks – and the use of forests for timber – with the planet’s ability to regenerate such resources and naturally absorb the carbon emitted.

That implies the excess demands being placed on natural systems are doing more permanent harm – that cannot be easily undone.